AbdElneam Ahmed Ibrahim, Mohammed Ghada Farouk
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Shaqra University, Dawadmi, Saudi Arabia.
Molecular Genetics and Enzymology Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Center, 33 El Bohouth St. (former El Tahrir St.), Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt.
Arch Dermatol Res. 2025 Apr 5;317(1):679. doi: 10.1007/s00403-025-04113-1.
Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterized by the loss of melanocytes, resulting in depigmented patches on the skin. The molecular mechanisms underlying vitiligo remain incompletely understood, with recent studies highlighting the role of non-coding RNAs in disease pathogenesis. To identify and analyze the roles of miRNAs, (circular RNAs) circRNAs, and (long non-coding RNAs) lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, focusing on their interactions with key coding genes and pathways. We utilized Microarray data from the GSE65127 and GSE75819 datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to Vitiligo. The analysis was conducted using GEO2R for identifying upregulated and downregulated genes. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using STRING and further analyzed with Cytoscape and CytoHubba. Gene Ontology (GO), disease pathways, Disease gene associations, and phenotypes are determined by many online software. miRNAs and cirRNas, lncRNAs were predicted using bioinformatics tools. The constructed network identified AKT1 as a central hub, hsa-miR-140-3p assumes a critical role by interacting with both AKT1 and CTSD, while circRNAs such as hsa_circ_0020776, hsa_circ_0033552, and hsa_circ_0020773 significantly modulate these interactions. Also, hsa-miR-921 is highly effective in binding to AKT1, as well as to hsa_circ_0033546 and hsa_circ_0033547. lncRNAs, including AFAP1-AS1 and MALAT1, contribute to the network by establishing connections with the mRNA of target genes. we determined two genes, two miRNAs, and 5 circRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for vitiligo.
白癜风是一种慢性皮肤病，其特征是黑素细胞缺失，导致皮肤上出现色素脱失斑。白癜风的分子机制仍未完全明确，最近的研究强调了非编码RNA在疾病发病机制中的作用。为了识别和分析微小RNA（miRNA）、环状RNA（circRNA）和长链非编码RNA（lncRNA）在白癜风发病机制中的作用，重点关注它们与关键编码基因和信号通路的相互作用。我们利用基因表达综合数据库（GEO）中GSE65127和GSE75819数据集的微阵列数据来识别与白癜风相关的差异表达基因（DEG）。使用GEO2R进行分析以识别上调和下调的基因。利用STRING构建蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用（PPI）网络，并使用Cytoscape和CytoHubba进行进一步分析。基因本体论（GO）、疾病通路、疾病基因关联和表型由许多在线软件确定。使用生物信息学工具预测miRNA、circRNA和lncRNA。构建的网络确定AKT1为核心枢纽，hsa-miR-140-3p通过与AKT1和CTSD相互作用发挥关键作用，而hsa_circ_0020776、hsa_circ_0033552和hsa_circ_0020773等circRNA显著调节这些相互作用。此外，hsa-miR-921与AKT1以及hsa_circ_0033546和hsa_circ_0033547具有高效结合能力。lncRNA，包括AFAP1-AS1和MALAT1，通过与靶基因的mRNA建立连接来参与该网络。我们确定两个基因、两个miRNA和5个circRNA可能作为白癜风的潜在生物标志物或治疗靶点。
